ROCKFORD — Chuck Jefferson, a Democratic state representative from Rockford and the city’s only black state lawmaker, has resigned.

In a letter dated Tuesday, July 1, 2014, to Timothy Mapes, chief clerk of the state House, Jefferson said, “Please acknowledge this correspondence as official notice of my resignation from the office state representative of the 67th ... District effective today.”

Jefferson, 69, was not immediately available for comment.

A Winnebago County Democratic Central Committee panel comprised of party Chairman Charles Laskonis, party Treasurer Bill Crowley, and L.C. Wilson, a Democratic Winnebago County board member, will meet to pick Jefferson’s replacement.

“Chuck was a really effective representative for his district and we’ll miss him,” Crowley said. Although the panel hasn’t picked a meeting date, Crowley said that Jefferson wants his replacement to be Litesa Wallace, his chief of staff.

Asked if she is a candidate to replace Jefferson, Wallace declined comment. She said Jefferson stepped down to “enjoy his retirement” and to spend more time with family.

Jefferson, 69, was appointed to replace Doug Scott when Scott was elected mayor of Rockford in 2001. Jefferson has been elected and re-elected against token Republican challengers since 2002. Jefferson’s 67th House district is heavily Democratic. Until his resignation he served as an assistant majority leader.

The 67th District has always been near to the heart of House Speaker Michael Madigan because for 29 years it was represented by the late Zeke Giorgi, one of Madigan’s mentors.

“The speaker believes Chuck Jefferson has had a very commendable record representing the viewpoints of his constituents and the interests of the greater Rockford area. He wishes him well in his retirement,” said Steve Brown, Madigan’s spokesman.

Jefferson’s resignation adds to a long trend of Rockford area state legislators resigning before their terms are up. Former GOP state representatives Dave Winters of Shirland, Jim Sacia of Pecatonica and former GOP state senator Brad Burzynski of Rochelle all left office before their terms were up.

This year, Republicans fielded a challenger in the 67th District who might have had a chance of winning, but County Board member John Guevara decided recently to withdraw from the race. This will give Jefferson’s replacement a free ride to Nov. 4 election.